SWTOR dev diary comments on companion control

A couple of weeks ago, BioWare began a diary outlining the Star Wars: The Old Republic companion. In the second part of the companion developer's diary released today, Senior Game Designer William Wallace tackles the intricate mechanics of companion control. MMO players' opinions vary on how pets should be handled in combat situations. If not handled well, companions can overpower a group sometimes and completely ruin it at others.

Wallace admits that BioWare's vision for companions has been augmented based on how players actually used the NPCs during gameplay. The team added passive and active controls over companions. In fact, if a player only wishes to control some companion actions but not others, BioWare provided ways to do that, too.

We also know that sometimes groups can be split up. Wallace explains how SWTOR works around that:

If a player leaves the group or its proximity, to travel to a vendor for instance, he is able to summon his companion for the journey. Upon reentering proximity of the group, the companion is automatically dismissed. The remaining group can temporarily substitute the missing player with one of their companions if desired.

Companions are a staple in BioWare games. Developers promise to continue to make the companion gaming experience better -- meeting or exceeding your expectations.

Reader Comments (53)

@Ren54

so i suppose you have a problem with any pet class in other MMO's eh? or is it just this game because you desperately need to talk smack about it whenever a new article pops up on this site about swtor?

still not as good as Guild Wars (1) controls.

@Ren54 I disagree. It enables solo play. But there's plenty of other systems in SWTOR that enables anti-social behavior.

This must be great news for currency farmers!

@Ren54

Most MMO leveling content these days is soloable. Rift doesn't have companions, yet no one talks, what's up with that?

@hereafter

well now it's like I'm talking to myself. I'm gonna go do something with my life

@hereafter understanding the difference of massively multiplayer online games, and massively multiplayer online social games is a good start.

@Ren54
Ooh ooh, in before someone falling for ren54 trolling!

Also, in before "I'm not a troll!" Defense.

Its a little sad people are STILL biting, Ren.

Companion controls are all well and good but can I date my wookie?

@(Unverified) My dreams are crushed.

Having always preferred playing pet classes in MMOs -- WoW, Rift, and LotRO -- I think this is a great feature, and Bioware will handle it particularly well.

It basically gives all SWTOR player classes the option of using (or not) a pet. SWTOR is greatly improving upon the already fun decent pet systems used in these other games by increasing their customizability and imbuing some personality into them. I am looking forward to this.

@Tom in VA
As a player that stays away from most "pet classes" in mmo's... I'm not nearly as enthusiastic about it as you are. I have yet to play a game where I'm happy with the AI of my pet. I have no reason to believe this game will be any different.

My worry is that there will be content that I don't get this "option" you talk about where I can "skip" using the pet. One person may not be enough and then I'll be forced to use a pet to play.

My other worry is how this will have an impact on duo play. I play MMO's mainly with my girlfriend, we level together or raid together. Whatever we're doing, it's usually the two of us. Now when I "solo" play and I bring out my pet... does it take exp from me while leveling?

The issue is that if you can "solo" the content with your pet (2 people, 1 getting all the exp)... but if you party with one other person (now neither of you can use a pet, so you're still just 2 people, but splitting the exp) you could effectively be punished if you play duo. I hope they see this coming.

@Kuipo

Your pet can be dismissed at anytime, though I will admit that content may be a bit harder to do without the pet, as it seems to be calculated into your total dps output. You acquire the same xp with or without the companion in play.

If you and your girl are playing, you still have the option of using your pet, and so does she, for a group of 4. Xp per person is still the same, as far as I have noticed. The pets dont take away in any case.

@Tom in VA

This is a little misleading, companions are not pets but more like sub-characters. They can be equip with weapons and armor like you.

I have good hopes it will enable me to play with my dad at our own pace bcs the todays generation is to fickle to wait for the actions of a 76 yrs old.
Also i allways like pet classes and i hope for improved pet gameplay.
Atm i am pretty positive about it, about the options it offers for the gameplay, the story, lore, immersion.

Reality will be the test if this hopes become true ;)

If companions are optional then great. Both type of players win.

I can think of three MMO's off the top of my head that have companions (not counting pet classes).

Guild Wars
DDO
STO

I think it's pretty tough to make an argument that those games have suffered as a result of the companions. While I haven't played STO I can say that both DDO and GW have lots of people grouping and doing other MMO stuff.

So long as companions have limitations relative to real people, there will always be demand for players to group with and companions end up becoming something you use when players aren't available. Of course, AI is still pretty darned dumb, so I think it's safe to say that we're a LONG way from companions ever serving as a truly viable alternative to real players.

My main gripe with companions in TOR is that, judging by what was said, they will be either useless or unavailable for high level group content. It's more a disappointment issue; I thought companions would be useful for supplying a raid off-tank or healer if one was needed and no one was available to fill the spot.

As it stands, I will wait until the game is a few months old, at least, before deciding if I want to play. Bioware seems to be taking this game into a direction that I don't think I will find fun.

@DarkWalker

Yeah, if they fear that companions will take a role to big than intended they could prevent "abuse" of the companion system by having them abilities reduced in effect the more companions a raid uses.
One acts at 100%
Two act at 95%
Three at 85%
Four at 70%
Not elegant but working i guess.

So if a needed class isnt available you could take one or two companions with your raid but real players would still be a better choice.

@Thorqemada

It's just the nature of AI in games that almost any player will be better than a companion. There is no need to gimp the companions in that manner. If a raid is a quality challenge, then a companion will not work; if a companion DOES work in a raid, then it's not enough of a challenge to be called a raid. Players should have to think about their role in the raid enough that a companion couldn't fulfill the role.

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SWTOR dev diary comments on companion control

Reader Comments (53)

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 4:59PM jslim419 said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:02PM Lucidus said

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Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:18PM drunkingamebar said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:19PM hereafter said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:27PM hereafter said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:48PM drunkingamebar said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:23PM KvanCetre said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:31PM Seldra said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:53PM Seldra said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:38PM Tom in VA said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 4:19PM Kuipo said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 4:34PM gamegamerson said

Posted: Oct 8th 2011 10:06AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 3:51PM Thorqemada said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 4:12PM madcartoonist said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 4:20PM aurickle said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 4:24PM DarkWalker said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 4:43PM Thorqemada said

Posted: Oct 7th 2011 7:26PM Ordegar said

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